Two of the men — one dressed in coveralls and the other in what appeared to be a painter’s suit — were seen pulling out a chain and one of the men appeared to use a pickaxe to smash the glass out of the front door.

The suspects entered the bingo hall and hooked up the ATM to a rope. A third person in the truck took off, causing the ATM to crash through the door on the way out.

Police said the ATM was then loaded into the truck. The machine was found several hours after the robbery, broken and without any cash inside.

Police suspect the GMC Sierra 1500 allegedly used in the theft was stolen, but the truck has yet to be recovered.

The second theft happened at a pub in south Edmonton two weeks ago, where suspects were caught in the act.

On Wednesday, June 27, at around 2 a.m., police were called to a pub near Gateway Boulevard and 45 Avenue. Upon arrival, officers found two men who were believed to have broken into the pub, removed a secured ATM from the floor and placed it in a cart to haul away.

Police said the suspects didn’t manage to remove the ATM before being caught, however, there was damage to the machine and the exterior of the pub as a result of the attempted theft. Police also believe a third suspect was involved in the southside incident, but they have not yet been identified.

“ATM thefts are more than a victimless crime,” EPS Criminal Investigation Section Det. Dan Behiels said. “This kind of crime can have significant operational and financial impacts on a business.”

Douglas Coxworthy, 42, and Kevin Deines, 40, were charged with breaking and entering with intent and disguise with intent in relation to the March bingo hall theft. The third suspect has yet to be identified.

Coxworthy, along with 48-year-old Darren Lopushinsky, has been charged with breaking and entering with intent, possession of break-in instruments, and mischief under $5,000 in relation to the June incident.

Police said there have been 17 ATM incidents in Edmonton so far this year. The EPS said it is working with the RCMP to investigate the crimes.

Anyone with any information about ATM thefts or the suspects involved is asked to contact the EPS at 780-423-4567 or #377 from a mobile phone. Anonymous information can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online.